[0001] The present invention relates to a supporting structure for a blower motor, and,
more specifically, to a supporting structure for a blower motor suitable for a double
shaft type blower motor (a two-blower type motor) used in an air conditioning unit
for vehicles.
[0002] As a conventional supporting structure for a blower motor, for example, as disclosed
in JP-A-2002-13755, a structure is known wherein a motor is fixed via bolts to an
auxiliary steel plate attached to a rear surface of a casing, and a rubber vibration
isolator is interposed between the auxiliary steel plate and the motor. One impeller
is attached to the shaft of the motor.
[0003] In such a supporting structure for a blower motor, however, because the side surface
of the motor (in a case of a motor having a cylindrical outer shape, not the cylindrical
surface but the end surface) is attached to the auxiliary steel plate with bolts,
the stability in fixing is low, and the fixing may be released by the rotation of
the motor and the vibration accompanying therewith. Further, there is a problem that
it is difficult to apply the above-described structure to a double shaft type blower
motor (a two-blower type motor) in which a fan is attached to each end of a rotational
shaft of a motor. Namely, in such a double shaft type blower motor, since fans are
attached on both sides of the rotational shaft of the motor, there is a restriction
in space for fixing the motor with bolts from its side surface, and therefore, the
bolt fastening from the side surface is substantially difficult.
[0004] It would be desirable to provide a supporting structure for a blower motor which
can improve the stability in fixing the motor and which can be applied to a double
shaft type blower motor (a two-blower type motor).
[0005] In a supporting structure for a blower motor according to the present invention,
the blower motor has a motor and two fans each attached to each end of a rotational
shaft of the motor, and the structure is characterized in that a ring-like rubber
vibration isolator is disposed on a cylindrical barrel of the motor, a pair of casings
are provided for containing the barrel, and the motor is held and fixed by nipping
the barrel with the pair of casings via the rubber vibration isolator positioned in
the pair of casings.
[0006] In such a supporting structure, the stability in fixing the motor is increased, and
it can be applied to a double shaft type blower motor (a two-blower type motor).
[0007] In the supporting structure according to the present invention, preferably a plurality
of rubber vibration isolators are disposed between the barrel and the casings in an
axial direction of the motor and engaged to the barrel and the casings.
[0008] Further, in the supporting structure, it is preferred that a barrel through hole
is provided on at least one barrel portion attached with the rubber vibration isolator,
a rubber projection having a through hole is provided on the rubber vibration isolator
at a position corresponding to the position of the barrel through hole, the rubber
projection is fitted into the barrel through hole, a casing projection is provided
on at least one casing portion holding the rubber vibration isolator at a position
corresponding to the position of the rubber projection, and the casing projection
is fitted into the through hole of the rubber projection.
[0009] Further, in the supporting structure, it is preferred that the pair of casings have
a casing groove extending in a circumferential direction on the inner surface, a casing
rib extending in the circumferential direction is provided in the casing groove, the
rubber vibration isolator is disposed in the casing groove, and the casing rib compresses
the rubber vibration isolator by fixing the pair of casings to each other.
[0010] Furthermore, in the supporting structure, it is preferred that each of the pair of
casings has a casing stopper portion at one side in an axial direction of the motor
for restricting an axial movement of the motor.
[0011] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be understood from
the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention
with reference to the accompanying figures, of which:
Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a supporting structure for a blower motor according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an elevational view of a blower motor used in the supporting structure shown
in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view of a vibration proof structure in the supporting
structure shown in Fig. 1.
[0012] Figs. 1 to 3 show a supporting structure for a blower motor according to an embodiment
of the present invention. First, the entire structure of the supporting structure
will be explained using Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, the supporting structure for a blower motor
comprises a motor 1, two fans of right fan 6R and left fan 6L, and a pair of casings
of upper casing 4 and lower casing 5. Right fan 6R and left fan 6L are fixed to both
ends of a rotational shaft of motor 1, respectively. Upper casing 4 and lower casing
5 are fixed (fastened) to each other by a plurality of casing bolts 8 and casing nuts
9.
[0013] In this embodiment, the supporting structure for a blower motor exhibits a structure
like a cover skin-content structure. Upper casing 4 and lower casing 5 correspond
to the cover skin of the cover skin-content structure, and motor 1 and right fan 6R
and left fan 6L correspond to the content of the cover skin-content structure. Each
of upper casing 4 and lower casing 5 is made in a shape integrally forming a motor
casing for motor 1 and blower casings for two fans of right fan 6R and left fan 6L.
By combining upper casing 4 and lower casing 5, a hollow portion is formed therein.
In this hollow portion, motor 1 and two fans of right fan 6R and left fan 6L are contained
and fixed. Where, a rubber vibration isolator or a plurality of rubber vibration isolators
are interposed between motor 1 and upper casing 4 and lower casing 5, as described
later, and by sandwiching (nipping) a cylindrical barrel of the motor 1 with the upper
casing 4 and lower casing 5, the barrel is held and fixed by the upper casing 4 and
lower casing 5 via the rubber vibration isolator(s).
[0014] Discharge ports are provided on the blower casing forming a part of upper casing
4 and lower casing 5, and when a voltage is applied to motor 1, air is sent out by
right fan 6R and left fan 6L attached to both sides of the motor 1.
[0015] Next, referring to Fig. 2, the supporting structure for a blower motor in this embodiment
will be explained.
[0016] In Fig. 2, motor 1 comprises a motor barrel 1 a, a motor cover 1 b and a motor shaft
(a rotational shaft) 1d. Motor barrel 1a has a cylindrical shape and is formed as
a shape having a bottom. A hole through which motor shaft 1d extends is provided on
the bottom of motor barrel 1a at a central position. Motor cover 1b is formed as a
disc-like shape, and at its central portion, a hole through which motor shaft 1d extends
is provided.
[0017] In this embodiment, two ring-like rubber vibration isolators 2 and 3 are disposed
on the outer surface of cylindrical motor barrel 1a of motor 1 in the axial direction
of motor 1. Rubber vibration isolators 2 and 3 are interposed between motor barrel
1a and upper casing 4 and lower casing 5, and they function to suppress the vibration.
[0018] Right fan 6R and left fan 6L are fastened to motor shaft 1d at right and left positions
of motor 1 by fan nuts 7, respectively.
[0019] Next, referring to Fig. 3, the vibration proof structure in the supporting structure
for a blower motor of this embodiment will be explained.
[0020] In Fig. 3, ring-like rubber vibration isolators 2 and 3 are disposed on motor barrel
1a in the axial direction of motor 1 at right and left positions in the figure. The
inner diameters of rubber vibration isolators 2 and 3 are set smaller than the outer
diameter of motor barrel 1a, and therefore, the rubber vibration isolators 2 and 3
are disposed at a high accuracy without generation of a clearance.
[0021] A plurality of ring-like casing grooves 4a extending in the circumferential direction
are provided on the inner surfaces of upper casing 4 and lower casing 5 in correspondence
with the attachment portions of rubber vibration isolators 2 and 3. When barrel 1a
of motor 1 is disposed between upper casing 4 and lower casing 5, rubber vibration
isolators 2 and 3 are disposed in the respective casing grooves 4a. A casing rib 4b
projecting toward rotational shaft 1 d and extending in the circumferential direction
is provided in each casing groove 4a. Motor 1 and barrel 1a are disposed between upper
casing 4 and lower casing 5, and as shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of casing bolts 8
and casing nuts 9 are fastened, and whereby, casing ribs 4b are put into respective
corresponding rubber vibration isolators 2 and 3 and the rubber vibration isolators
2 and 3 are compressed with a small force. Therefore, motor 1 and barrel 1a are completely
floated from upper casing 4 and lower casing 5 by rubber vibration isolators 2 and
3, thereby absorbing a vibration, etc. Moreover, since motor 1 is fixed at a plurality
of positions (in this embodiment, at two positions) on the cylindrical barrel 1a by
upper casing 4 and lower casing 5, as compared with the case where a motor is fixed
from its side surface, the stability in fixing can be increased. Therefore, the fixing
of motor 1 can be prevented from being released by the rotation and vibration of the
motor, etc.
[0022] In this embodiment, lower casing 5 has a casing projection 4d. Casing projection
4d has a columnar shape and it is projected radially toward rotational shaft 1d from
the inner surface of lower casing 5, in this embodiment, from the inner surface of
the bottom of casing groove 4a. On the other hand, barrel hole 1 c (through hole)
is provided on barrel 1a of motor 1. Rubber projection 3a is provided on rubber vibration
isolator 3, and the rubber projection 3a is inserted and fitted into barrel hole 1c.
A through hole 3b is provided in rubber projection 3a. Casing projection 4d of lower
casing 5 is inserted into through hole 3b of rubber vibration isolator 3 and at the
same time, inserted into barrel hole 1c of barrel 1a of motor 1, as shown in Fig.
3. This casing projection 4d restricts the movement of motor 1 in the rotational direction.
On one side of each of upper casing 4 and lower casing 5 (the left side in Fig. 3),
casing stopper portion 4c is provided, and both casing stopper portions 4c restrict
the movement of motor 1 in the axial direction.
[0023] In the above-described embodiment, because cylindrical barrel 1a of motor 1 is fixed
directly by upper casing 4 and lower casing 5 and rubber vibration isolators 2 and
3 are interposed therebetween, the stability in fixing can be increased. Further,
since motor 1 is completely floated from the pair of casings by the rubber vibration
isolators, a vibration, etc. can be absorbed well and the vibration proof property
can be improved. Moreover, because the structure for nipping the motor between the
pair of casings is employed, the motor can be easily fixed.
[0024] Further, since casing ribs 4b are provided on casings 4 and 5, when the casings 4
and 5 are fastened by casing bolts and nuts, rubber vibration isolators 2 and 3 can
be easily compressed with a small fastening force, thereby improving the properties
in attachment and fixing of the rubber vibration isolators 2 and 3.
[0025] Further, because casing projection 4d is inserted into barrel hole 1c provided on
barrel 1a of motor 1 via through hole 3b of rubber vibration isolator 3, the movement
of motor 1 in the rotational direction can be regulated. Further, the movement of
motor 1 in the axial direction can be regulated by the casing stopper portions provided
on one side in the axial direction of the casings.
[0026] Furthermore, by using rubber projection 3a, the motor 1 and barrel 1a can be surely
positioned in a proper position not only in the axial direction but also in the circumferential
direction. Therefore, at the time of positioning, it is not necessary to use an exclusive
jig, and the cost for assembly can be reduced.
1. A supporting structure for a blower motor having a motor and two fans each attached
to each end of a rotational shaft of said motor, characterized in that a ring-like rubber vibration isolator is disposed on a cylindrical barrel of said
motor, a pair of casings are provided for containing said barrel, and said motor is
held and fixed by nipping said barrel with said pair of casings via said rubber vibration
isolator positioned in said pair of casings.
2. The supporting structure for a blower motor according to claim 1, wherein a plurality
of rubber vibration isolators are disposed between said barrel and said casings in
an axial direction of said motor and engaged to said barrel and said casings.
3. The supporting structure for a blower motor according to claim 1, wherein a barrel
through hole is provided on at least one barrel portion attached with said rubber
vibration isolator, a rubber projection having a through hole is provided on said
rubber vibration isolator at a position corresponding to the position of said barrel
through hole, said rubber projection is fitted into said barrel through hole, a casing
projection is provided on at least one casing portion holding said rubber vibration
isolator at a position corresponding to the position of said rubber projection, and
said casing projection is fitted into said through hole of said rubber projection.
4. The supporting structure for a blower motor according to claim 1, wherein said pair
of casings have a casing groove extending in a circumferential direction on the inner
surface, a casing rib extending in said circumferential direction is provided in said
casing groove, said rubber vibration isolator is disposed in said casing groove, and
said casing rib compresses said rubber vibration isolator by fixing said pair of casings
to each other.
5. The supporting structure for a blower motor according to claim 1, wherein each of
said pair of casings has a casing stopper portion at one side in an axial direction
of said motor for restricting an axial movement of said motor.